Sandwich-type motor vehicle door and flush mounted lock cassette

Abstract

So as to mount a lock mechanism in a vehicle door at least partly of sandwich construction the door in the region of its outer side and end wall is provided with a compartment which from the end wall surface extends into the door and has one adjacent or complementary recessed portion in the outer side wall of the door. The lock mechanism is made in the form of a cassette which comprises at least two main parts, i.e. one lock house part and one adjoining control part. The cassette and the commpartment with the adjoining recessed portion are designed in such a way relative to each other that in the mounted position of the cassette the outside of its lock house part connects to and forms part of the door's outer end wall surface whereas the outside of its control part connects to and forms part of the door's outer side wall surface.

I claim: 
     
       1. In combination, an automotive vehicle door of sandwich construction comprising spaced inner and outer sidewalls separated by a reinforcing layer and having an end wall joined at right angles to said sidewalls and extending along one end thereof, said end wall being recessed to form a cassette receiving compartment which extends between said sidewalls, said door outer sidewall being recessed inwardly from its edge adjacent said end wall and opening to said compartment, a cassette comprising a lock house part and a control part connected thereto, said cassette being mounted to said door and within said compartment with said lock house part mounted to said door end wall with its exterior face lying flush therewith, and said control part projecting through said outer sidewall recess opening and lying flush with and forming part of said outer sidewall surface. 
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the control part of said cassette constitutes a projection to one side of the lock house part of the cassette and being formed substantially at right angles thereto. 
     
     
       3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said control part is recessed on its face which lies flush to said door outer sidewall and carries a door handle within said control part recess. 
     
     
       4. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a lock cylinder carried by said control part of said cassette. 
     
     
       5. The combination of claim 1, further comprising interfitting guide surfaces provided within said door compartment and on said cassette to guide said cassette during insertion within said compartment.